Playtested my buddy's Black Powder Tyrolean Rebellion game today. It's actually the second time playtesting this game. He's hosting it at next month's Enfilade convention. It was originally supposed to happen in 2020, but the lockdown prevented this. He also didn't have time to prepare for it at last September's convention as he was deployed the earlier part of the year. All of the figures and scratch-built terrain are his.
I ran a couple of the Tyrolean brigades, along with another buddy - mostly skirmish order troops and some villager types classed as warbands. The Bavarians had cavalry units - which didn't play a big part as the Tyroleans stayed on the high ground for most of the game. They also had more artillery. In fact, the gun I had only was allowed to fire 3 times during the game before running out of ammunition. We played 5 turns and it was considered a close Bavarian victory as although most of the Tyrolean units were intact, enough were shaken and a unit of Bavarians held a key bridge - a victory condition. There are quite a few special characters and special events occurring as part of the scenario. One of the special events has someone rolling boulders down the slopes onto the enemy at some point during the game. There is also a female heroine bringing resupplies, including cannon balls, to the rebels. All in all a fun scenario which is based on actual historical events. Should be a winner at the convention.
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| A unit of Bavarians occupying the high ground after destroying a Tyrolean unit - the Bavarians then turned about and faced another Tyrolean unit below them. |
My buddy who hosted the game, far right in the photo, had two of the Bavarian players pose along with him with some actual pikes from the Lucerne armory he picked up when he was stationed in Europe.
Have playtest next week for another buddy's game for Enfilade. This one will be based on the movie, "The Sand Pebbles". Looking forward to it. Thanks again for stopping by, and wishing you all the best!
Game looks terrific, Dean, and a beautiful wargaming presentation but how did your friend get his hands on Swiss pikes from the armory? Inquiring minds want to know.
ReplyDeleteHe said the city was "downsizing" their armory or something like that, and put these up for sale. He also has some fragments of cannon balls from Napoleonic battlfields. He also has an Austrian grenadier bearskin and cavalry swords/sabers, and a French cuirass. All authentic and acquired when he was stationed in Germany. Best regards, Dean
DeleteEven more, how did he ship the pikes back home?!
DeleteI asked the same thing. He was still an active duty Army colonel so that helped when he PCS'd back to the states.
DeleteWhat a fantastic looking terrain Dean!
ReplyDeleteWargaming heaven!
Thanks Michal. Yes, it was a pleasure to see in person. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteExcellent reporting by Dean. Not a common historical game. I really liked it.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Alexey. It's a labor of love for my friend. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteVery nice looking game Dean...but I was hoping for more detail on the heroine bringing the supplies! Your buddy has some nice souvenirs of his time in Germany!
ReplyDeleteYes, I need to ask my buddy her name again. He's researched this battle extensively. Best regards, Dean
DeleteWow, amazing scenery and great looking game. Never mind the convention, it already looks like a winner to me.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to buy a bigger house if I had those pikes!
Thanks, Richard. Yes, my buddy said his wife hates them and wishes he got rid of them :) Lol! Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteGreat looking game, superb terrain and minis...and most impressive last picture!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil! Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteQuite the effort, quite the result! Very well crafted terrain, certainly sounds ( and looks) like a lot of tlc for the project. The photos do a good job showing the troops and table off.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe! Yes, definitely has been his pet project for the last few years. He concentrates on the 1809 Campaign period. He did an Essling game a few years ago at the convention. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteLooks fabulous! Love all the mountainous terrain. 10/10!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Ray! Yes, and load of troops and various special characters really made the game very interesting and enjoyable. Warm regards, Dean
DeleteLove the big hills. Unusual to see the 3d element come in to play like that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Markus. Yes, I agree - especially for Napoleonic Black Powder. It was great to see how the rules could be used this way. In fact, the use of warbands was new for me with Black Powder. It worked great. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteGreat looking game,figures and terrain and nice pikes!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain! Warm regards, Dean
DeleteWow! Excellent terrain and very common region of Napoleonic era!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! Yes, it was a rather atypical Black Powder game. Lots of skirmish formations using cover a lot. Cavalry not used that much. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteI'm lovin' that wargaming setup Dean - your mate has a terrific game room well defended by some serious pikes! The terrain and figures are gorgeous too and I'm sure they'll be a real hit at the con.
ReplyDeleteAloha buddy!
Doc
Mahalo's for the kind words, Doc. Yes, he definitely put a lot of heart and soul into the terrain and scenario. Aloha, Dean
DeleteFantastic looking game Dean, great troops and terrain!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Mike! Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteGreat looking game Dean so much going on 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt! Yes, his game at the con will have up to six players, so there should be a lot of activity going on all around the table. He'll have his son, who has a lot of BP experience, helping him GM. Best regards, Deab
DeleteWonderful stuff, loving the hillside sense of scale in the game.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Stu
Thanks, Stu! I held my troops up on the high ground for most of the game - until the enemy got behind one of my units - then I charged down the hill into a lone canon and crew. Took them out with fire in another turn. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteTable looks really great, especially having run Berg Isel myself several times. There should be a few Austrian regulars present as well, if I recall correctly. Hofer, Speckbacher, and Father Joachim Haspinger are among the main characters on the Tyrolean side that day.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter. I think he scaled-down the scenario to a portion of the full battle? He did have those characters present as leaders though. Kind regards, Dean
DeleteThe setup is really sweet and some nicely painted Nappy troops. Looks like something I would play in at a convention just for the eye candy.
ReplyDeleteI love the Sand Pebbles movie one of my favorite Steve McQueen films next to the Great Escape. Will the scenario be the river busting blockade?
Cheers
Kevin
Thanks, Kevin. I think the Sand Pebbles game does have the river block. I'll be sure to post pictures of the game next weekend. Kevin regards, Dean
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